£155m Northern Ireland farm investment ‘sits idle’ as Pilgrim’s Europe warns over planning delays

Thursday 01 October 2026

Pilgrim’s Europe says around £155 million of potential investment in Northern Ireland farms is being held back by planning delays, warning that future growth and jobs could depend on speeding up decisions needed to expand poultry capacity.

The warning comes as the food giant, which incorporates Moy Park, reported increased revenue and operating profit for 2025 and highlighted the scale of its Northern Ireland operations, including four food plants and a network of around 450 poultry growers.

£155m investment warning

Poultry Director Justin Coleman said the move towards higher animal welfare standards requires approximately 20% more growing space across the company’s supply chain if existing production capacity is to be maintained.

He said Pilgrim’s and its growers were ready to invest but claimed prolonged planning delays over the past 18 to 24 months were preventing projects from progressing.

“While we and our growers stand ready to invest, over the past 18-24 months, progress is being hindered by prolonged planning delays. Every additional month of planning delay is a month c. £155m on farm investment sits idle, ready to flow into the Northern Ireland economy.

“With greater certainty and a planning framework capable of supporting responsible agricultural development, Northern Ireland can unlock significant investment, protect thousands of existing jobs and create hundreds more.”

The company has raised similar concerns previously, arguing that planning, infrastructure and environmental processes need to keep pace with investment in agriculture. Earlier this year, Coleman said constructive collaboration between government and industry could help address those constraints.

Four NI plants and 450 growers

Pilgrim’s Europe’s Northern Ireland footprint includes four food plants, its Shared Services Hub at Rushmere in Craigavon, a research centre, three hatcheries and a feed mill, alongside its extensive grower network.

The company recently marked 100 years of operations at its Randalstown Feed Mill, which was acquired by Moy Park in 2010 and now supplies poultry feed.  Pilgrim’s Europe has also previously said it works with more than 450 Northern Ireland farmers.

Coleman described 2025 as a “step-change year” following the consolidation of Moy Park, Pilgrim’s UK and Pilgrim’s Food Masters.

“The combined business now operates four food plants across Northern Ireland alongside our new Shared Services Hub at Rushmere, our Research Centre in Craigavon, our three hatcheries, feedmill and an extensive 450-strong grower network supporting communities right across the region.”

One of the biggest commercial developments was Pilgrim’s becoming the exclusive supplier of Waitrose Better Chicken Commitment chicken across the retailer’s own-brand ranges, which the company says was achieved 18 months ahead of the industry target and is entirely grown and produced in Northern Ireland.

Revenue rises above £4.1bn

Across Pilgrim’s Europe, revenue increased to £4.12 billion during 2025, up from £4.07 billion in 2024, while operating profit rose from £242.4 million to £267.7 million.

Its operating profit margin before restructuring costs increased from 6.0% to 6.5%, while £108.6 million was invested in manufacturing, farming and supply-chain capabilities during the year.

The figures represent a further improvement on the integrated group’s first full year of trading. Pilgrim’s previously reported FY2024 revenue of around £4.06 billion and said integration of Moy Park, Pilgrim’s UK and Pilgrim’s Food Masters had strengthened the business.

Pilgrim’s Europe President Ivan Siqueira said:

“FY2025 marked another year of strong progress for Pilgrim’s Europe as we continued to realise the benefits of operating as one integrated business.

“We delivered growth across our poultry operations, improved profitability in our value-added portfolio and continued investing in our agricultural, manufacturing and innovation capabilities to support long-term growth.

“Whilst trading conditions remain mixed across parts of the sector, particularly within pork, our integrated business model, talented people and strong customer relationships leave us well positioned for the future. I would like to thank our 17,000 colleagues, farmers, suppliers and customers for their continued commitment and support.”

More than 800 products launched

Elsewhere in the business, Pilgrim’s said its Value Added and Brands division launched more than 800 new products across retail, foodservice and branded categories during 2025, with Fridge Raiders and Rollover outperforming their respective categories.

Its UK pork operation also secured a 10-year partnership with Waitrose supporting the retailer’s planned transition to 100% British free-range pork by 2027.

Pilgrim’s Europe currently employs around 17,000 people across more than 40 facilities in the UK, Ireland, France and the Netherlands.

Focus turns to further expansion

The company says trading remained resilient during the first half of 2026, with sales and volume growth across its Poultry and Meals businesses, although pressure on consumer spending and volatility in agricultural commodity markets remain challenges.

Its plans include expanding poultry farming capacity and progressing the proposed acquisition of Walker’s Deli & Sausage Company, subject to Competition and Markets Authority approval.

For Northern Ireland, however, Pilgrim’s has made clear that its ability to expand poultry production is increasingly tied to what happens beyond the factory gate.

With growers being asked to provide more space to meet higher welfare standards, the company says investment is ready — but the speed at which planning decisions can be secured will determine how quickly that money reaches farms and rural communities.